Tears on Screen: Melancholic Content and Impending Loneliness

Abstract

Melancholic content is often characterized by a portrayal of human emotion through somber imagery, introspective dialogue and settings which can potentially breed emotional distress, social withdrawal and reduced motivation in its viewers. Continuous exposure to melancholic content may normalize or reinforce negative emotions, making individuals more susceptible to viewing sadness as inevitable or even desirable emotional states. Drawing upon a review of literature spanning psychology and media studies we explored how consumption of melancholic media can exacerbate feelings of loneliness. To examine this, participants were exposed to a compilation of melancholic clips and their loneliness levels were measured.  A Focus Group yielded an understanding of their emotional experiences and perceptions when engaging with such content. This study offers a comprehensive understanding of the ramifications associated with media consumption.